12. The dulcimer was developed in the Appalachian hills in the early 19th century
The Scots – Irish immigrants of the Appalachian region developed the instrument known by many names, but colloquially as the dulcimer, in the 19th century, prompting music history scholars to seek a similar instrument in the pasts of both nations. None has been found. The dulcimer remained for decades an instrument rarely found outside of Appalachia before the 1960s, when it gained popularity among American folk musicians and was used by some British rock bands for color, including being played by the Rolling Stones’ Brian Jones when performing Lady Jane on both stage and record. American folk singer Joni Mitchell is another noted performer on the instrument.
